Budesma Dosage/Direction for Use

Budesonide aerosol is for oral inhalation.
When transferring patients to Budesonide from other devices, treatment should be inidividualised, whether once or twice daily dosing is being used. The drug and method of delivery should be considered.
Divided doses (twice daily): The dosage should be individualised.
The dose should always be reduced to the minimum needed to maintain good asthma control.
Adults (including elderly) and children over 12 years of age: When starting treatment, during periods of severe asthma and while reducing or discontinuing oral glucocorticoids, the dosage in adults should be 200-1,600 micrograms daily, in divided doses.
In less severe cases and children over 12 years of age, 200-800 micrograms daily, in divided doses, may be used. During periods of severe asthma, the daily dosage can be increased to up to 1,600 micrograms, in divided doses.
Children 12 years of age and under: 200-800 micrograms daily, in divided doses. During periods of severe asthma, the daily dose can be increased up to 800 micrograms.
Once daily dosage: The dosage should be individualized.
The dose should always be reduced to the minimum needed to maintain good asthma control.
Adults (including elderly) and children over 12 years of age: 200 micrograms to 400 micrograms may be used in patients with mild to moderate asthma who have not previously received inhaled glucocorticoids.
Up to 800 micrograms may be used by patients with mild to moderate asthma already controlled on inhaled steroids (e.g., budesonide or beclomethasone dipropionate), administered twice daily.
Children 12 years of age and under: 200 micrograms to 400 micrograms may be used in children with mild to moderate asthma who have not previously received inhaled glucocorticosteroids, or who are already controlled on inhaled steroids (e.g., budesonide or beclomethasone dipropionate), administered twice daily.
The patient should be transferred to once daily dosing at the same equivalent total daily dose; the drug and method of delivery should be considered. The dose should subsequently be reduced to the minimum needed to maintain good asthma control.
Patients should be instructed to take the once daily dose in the evening. It is important that the dose is taken consistently and at similar time each evening.
There are insufficient data to make recommendations for the transfer of patients from newer inhaled steroids to once daily Budesonide.
Patients, especially those receiving once daily treatment, should be advised that in case their asthma deteriorates (e.g., increased frequency of bronchodilator use or persistent respiratory symptoms), they should double their steroid dose by administering it twice daily, and should contact their doctor as soon as possible.
In patients where an increased therapeutic effect is desired, an increased dose of Budesonide is recommended because of the lower risk of systemic effects as compared with a combined treatment with oral glucocorticosteroids.
Note for Children: The growth and development of infants and children who are receiving prolonged treatment with inhaled or systemic corticosteroids should be followed carefully; use the lowest effective dose.